Tawa related publications
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THS Publications
The following is a list of all the Society’s own publications.
Many of the Society’s publications can be purchased directly from the Tawa Library, Corner Main Road and Cambridge Street, Tawa. Please note that the Society is a non-profit organisation. It seeks to defray the cost of printing through the sales of its publications.
Orders can also be placed by email with Ken Woodgate, Tawa Historical Society: ken.woodgate (at) xtra.co.nz. These purchases will incur a few extra dollars for postage.
When placing an order please indicate the details of the address to which the book is to be sent. Payment can be made by direct credit into the society’s bank account: BNZ 02-0552-0033337-00.
Many of the publications listed are out-of-print. The society occasionally receives copies of its out of print publications. If you would like a copy please contact us and we can let you know if one becomes available.
The Streets of Tawa. Bruce Murray, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2005. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 100pp. ISBN 978-0-473-10188-2.
The Streets of Tawa was the first significant publication by the Tawa Historical Society. In the foreword, former Wellington mayor, Kerry Prendergast, says, “The Streets of Tawa is a fascinating insight into the history and overall development of Tawa as a community, and I know you will enjoy reading it.” This edition is currently out of print.
The Streets of Tawa. Bruce Murray, Tawa Historical Society 2nd edition 2021. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 110pp. ISBN 978-0-473-59439-8. Price $25.00.
This is an updated account of how the streets of Tawa came to be named, and contributes to the local knowledge of the early history of the settlement of Tawa.
An Historical Atlas of Tawa. Bruce Murray, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2006. Soft-cover spiral bound book A3 85p. ISBN 978-0-473-11603-3.
An Historical Atlas of Tawa was released in November 2006 for members. This edition is currently out of print.
Best of Tawa, Volume 1. Edited by Bruce Murray and David Wood, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2007. Soft-covered book A4 107pp. ISBN 978-0-473-12942-2. Price $20.00.
Best of Tawa, Volume 2. Edited by Bruce Murray and David Wood, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2008. Soft-covered book A4 130pp. ISBN 978-0-473-14583-5.
Best of Tawa, Volume 3. Edited by Bruce Murray and David Wood, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2012. Soft-covered book A4 78pp. ISBN 978-0-473-16387-7. Price $20.00.
The Best of Tawa series published for the first time in book form articles by Elsdon Best that were serialised in the Canterbury Times in 1914. Volume I concentrated on the pre-European and early European settlement of the Porirua District. Volume II covered the Māori troubles in the Wellington area culminating in the battle at Battle Hill, and the building of the Old Porirua Road. Volume III concluded the articles with miscellaneous jottings by Best about the Wellington area including information about some place names, and also a reproduction of his obituary. Volume III also contained a comprehensive cumulative index for all three volumes. Volume II is currently out of print.
Lest Tawa Forgets. Bruce Murray, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2008. Soft-covered book A4 100pp. ISBN 978-0-473-13412-9. Price $20.00.
Lest Tawa Forgets recalled the three main theatres of war that New Zealand has participated in and detailed the involvement of 13 men that once lived in Tawa Flat who died in those endeavours.
Rails Through the Valley - The Story of the Construction and Use of the Railway Lines through Tawa. Bruce Murray and David Parsons, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2007. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 56pp. ISBN 978-0-473-14410-4.
Rails Through the Valley told the story of the construction and use of the railway lines through Tawa which were so critical to the subsequent development of the Tawa area. This edition is currently out of print.
Tawa Historical Series No. 1 - United States Marine Corps, Second Division, Ammunition Bunker, Takapu Road, Tawa Flat, Wellington, New Zealand, 1942 - 1945. Philip Harland, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2007. Soft-covered and illustrated book A5 32pp. ISBN 978-0-473-12466-3.
A revised edition of this publication was published in November 2023, 34p, ISBN 978-0-473-69369-5. Both editions are currently out of print.
Tawa Historical Series No. 2 - The Tawa Flat Cemetery 1861 - 1978. Bruce Murray and Richard Herbert, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2009. Soft-cover book A5 55p. ISBN 978-0-473-15160-7. Price $15.00.
The Tawa Historical Series are planned to be a series of smaller booklet publications in A5 format on topics of specialist interest to the Tawa area.
26 Oxford Street and the Bartlett family. Michael Steer, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2010. Soft-covered book A4 44pp. ISBN 978-0-473-17881-9. Price $25.00.
26 Oxford Street and the Bartlett family told the story of the house at 26 Oxford Street, built in the 1860s, and the Bartlett family who occupied it. The Bartlett family came from East Chinnock in Somerset, England and arrived in New Zealand in 1842 on board the Clifton. After farming for a time in Ngaio Nathaniel Bartlett purchased Section 44 at Tawa Flat and built the house that stands at 26 Oxford Street.
Arthur Carman’s Suitcase – The Life and Times of Arthur Herbert Carman. Bruce Murray and David Wood, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2011. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 156pp. ISBN 978-0-473-18733-0. Price $30.00.
Arthur Carman’s Suitcase tells the story of life of AH Carman. Arthur was a well-known Tawa identity from the early 1930s till his death in 1982. He played a huge role in community service for most of those years, and led a most interesting, and at times controversial life. His book, Tawa Flat and the Old Porirua Road, is of inestimable value to anyone interested in Tawa’s history. This comprehensive book relates the life of Arthur and his family, and aspects of his life in Church, Politics and Sport.
Memories of Tawa Flat 1928 – 1958. Brian Mexted, as told to Michael Steer, Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2013. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 50pp. ISBN 978-0-473-23743-1.
Memories of Tawa Flat 1928 – 1958 is amply illustrated with photographs contemporary newspaper reports. It tells the story of life of Brian Mexted in the form of a collection of memories and stories edited by Michael Steer who has also researched the supporting background illustrations. This edition is currently out of print.
A History of Tawa. Bruce Murray. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2014. Soft-covered book A4 256pp. ISBN 978-0-473-25848-1. Price $45.00.
This book tells the story of Tawa over a period of more than five centuries. The opening chapter deals with the physical setting, and the first inhabitants of the area. The remainder of the book follows a chronological path, noting the significant developments within the district since 1840. It chronicles such matters as the removal of the bush cover and its replacement by grass; the importance of the road to Wellington; changes in agriculture; the arrival of the railway; attempts at suburbanisation; the effects on Tawa of the 1937 railway deviation and the 1950’s motorway; the post WW2 boom in population; and the impact on Tawa of Johnsonville’s and Porirua’s shopping malls.
The Ranui Golf Club of Tawa Flat 1923 – 1929. Michael Steer. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2015. Soft-covered book A4 60pp. ISBN 978-0-473-32549-7. Price $20.00.
It’s hard to imagine an 18-hole golf course in central Tawa but from 1923 until 1929 you could tee off there. The golf clubhouse was located at, 26 Oxford Street, and the course was about 4850 metres long with a par of 75. The seven hill holes in the Lyndhurst Road / Lincoln Avenue area were notoriously difficult in windy weather and the holes on the flat were often rather boggy. However, while the weather and local water courses posed some problems for the club’s on-going success, it was the constant shadow of subdivision that hung over the club. In early 1929, the club closed and members transferred to Titahi Bay and houses slowly began to cover the golf course land.
Life and Soul – Tawa Hall 1933 – 1963. Michael Steer. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2016. Soft-covered book A4 74pp. ISBN 978-0-473-36761-9. Price $20.00.
“Life and Soul” tells the story of life of the Tawa Town Hall during the period 1933 – 1963 when it was the social hub of Tawa. It relies heavily on extracts from local newspapers as well as memories and stories edited by Michael Steer.
The Tawa Memorial. Bruce Murray. Tawa Historical Series No. 3. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2017. Soft-covered book A5 68pp. ISBN 978-0-473-38657-3. Price $10.00.
This publication commemorated the men from the Tawa district who gave their lives in the service of their country and in the cause of peace. The publication was released on the occasion of the unveiling and dedication of the Tawa memorial in April 2017.
Tawa the Tree, the Community and its Reserves. Gil Roper. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2017. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 173pp. ISBN 978-0-473-40607-3.
This book features an in-depth description of the tawa tree, its distribution in NZ; native vegetation associated with tawa; the native bush in the Tawa area - before and at the time of human settlement, and today; eyewitness accounts of flora observed by early settlers of the region; the uses of tawa – it is connection to the avocado, bay tree and cinnamon; the origins of the names ‘Tawa Flat’ and ‘Tawa’ the history and work of ‘Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves’; the WCC purchase of the Forest of Tane and its importance; detailed coverage of eleven reserves in Tawa; a history of bird species in Tawa; and a detailed list of the plant species in the native bush reserves in Tawa – common names, Māori names and botanical names. This edition is currently out of print.
Willowbank Reserve, Tawa, and its Environs. Bruce Murray and David Parsons. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2018. Soft-covered book A465pp. ISBN 978-0-473-45653-5. Price $20.00.
This publication is a series of stories about Tawa (Flat) figures of days gone by, such as Te Patukawenga; Thomas Robert McCoy; the Greer family; William and Elizabeth Earp, and their grandson William Edward Earp (killed at Gallipoli); the Tawa Flat ‘Deckites’; and James and Rachel Taylor. The book also told the story the famous Tawa Bucket tree; Earp’s orchard; Boscobel Lane and its farmstead; and Arohata.
The Mexteds of Pluckley, Kent, and Tawa Flat, Wellington. Bruce Murray and David Parsons. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2019. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 82pp. ISBN 978-0-473-47428-7. Price $20.00.
In relating the story of the Mexted family’s arrival in New Zealand and settlement in Tawa Flat, Bruce Murray explained why settlers in New Zealand decided to undertake a 25,000km sea voyage from one side of the world to the other and to forsake their families and friends and their traditional lifestyle. Bruce provided background information on the English agricultural labourer and described the social unrest in Kent, where the Mexteds had lived for generations, in the 1830s just prior to George and Eliza Mexted emigrated to New Zealand. The book then told the stories of three Mexted generations: George and Eliza, Stephen and Matilda, and Stephen and Eliza.
Takapu Valley. Michael Steer. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2019. Soft-covered book A4 98pp. ISBN 978-0-473-49820-7. Price $25.00.
“Takapu Valley” told the story of this special area from the times of Māori trails, the bush settlers and the settler families through to the campaigns fought by the residents of today against proposals for rubbish tips and major roading developments which would have significantly impacted the special character of the Valley. The last section of the book recounts the efforts of the residents to preserve their lifestyle in what is one of the last rural remnants in the Wellington region.
Tawa, its recreational parks and reserves. Gilbert (Gil) Roper. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2020. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 190pp. ISBN 978-0-473-40607-3. Price $35.00.
This book featured a description of the 33 parks and reserves in Tawa with aerial images and maps.
The Old Porirua Road. Bruce Murray. Tawa Historical Society 1st edition 2021. Soft-covered and illustrated book A4 82pp. ISBN 978-0-473-54017-3. Price $20.00.
This book described the first 24km of the old Porirua Road from Kaiwharawhara to and through Tawa. Bruce Murray described the initial development of the road from 1840 onwards and the follows the route through Cockayne Road, Box Hill, Burma Road and Fraser Avenue to Johnsonville. From there, Bruce describes the route from Johnsonville along Middleton Road through Glenside and through Tawa.
The Friendly Tennis Club, the story of the Ranui (later Linden) Tennis Club 1936-2016 David Parsons. Tawa Historical Society 2021. Soft-covered book A4 70pp. ISBN 978-0-473-60783-8.
This book relates the history of the Linden tennis Club which, for 80 years, was part of the fabric of community life in Tawa. This edition is currently out of print.
Early Wellington Cricket and the Tawa Flat Cricket Club 1881-1910. Bruce Murray. Tawa Historical Society 2023. Soft-covered book A4 70pp. ISBN 978-0-473-59438-1. Price $15.00.
This book focuses primarily on the settlers and early cricket in Wellington, the founding of the Wellington Cricket Association and the formation of the Tawa Flat Cricket Club and its early history. It details the story of the Pearce Cup and records the demise of the early Tawa Flat Cricket Club and the resurrection of Tawa cricket in 1947.
Other Publications
The following lists earlier book publications about Tawa.
1. Tawa Flat and the Old Porirua Road 1840 – 1982. Arthur H. Carman, Wright and Carman Ltd. 1982. Hard-cover book 142mm by 223mm 266p.
2. Tawa – Enterprise and Endeavour. K. R. Cassells, Tawa Borough Council, 1988. Hard-cover book 142mm by 223mm 210p. ISBN 0-473-00715-0.
3. The Old Porirua Road. Porirua Museum History Series, No 5, Kelvin Day, 1991, published by the Porirua Museum and the Porirua City Council.
4. I Remember Tawa : A Collection of memories. Barbara Adams, Brasenose Press 2002, 120p – a series of personal reminiscences of Tawa residents about their life and times in Tawa. ISBN 0-473-08904-1. For library copy see NZRef 993.141 ADA.
5. Northern Suburbs Heritage Trail – Part 2: Following the Old Porirua Road. Onslow and Tawa Historical Societies / Glenside Progressive Assn. / WCC / et. al. 2nd edition 2004. Booklet 99mm by 211mm, foldout maps.
Tawa Link web site archive
Tawa link
Over a period of around twenty years Malcolm Sparrow, past resident, Tawa Community Board elected member and latterly Wellington City Councillor, maintained the Tawa Link web site which became the de facto directory of organisations in Tawa as well as contained hundreds of photos of events and scenery of Tawa through the years and seasons. It also included the online copy of the Tawa News monthly newsletter which was emailed to some 1,200 residents of Tawa. In 2021 Malcolm resigned as a Councillor and retired to the Kapiti Coast, and in 2022 his website was discontinued. However, the National Library has made an archival copy of the web site contents to enable the historic aspects of this site to be preserved. This can be accessed at www.tawalink.com.
Also a list of various Tawa people Malcolm had “interviewed” over the years is at Tawa People. Some on that list have since moved away from Tawa or passed away.
Northern Suburbs Heritage Trail description of Tawa - 2004
Tawa
Tawa is Wellington’s most northerly suburb. It began life as a rural settlement straddling the Porirua Road. While the road was being built in 1846-47, soldiers and workers were protected from possible attack by two stockades, a kilometre apart. At this time the surrounding land was heavily forested and the first settlers had to clear this before building and farming could begin. The name of Tawa was presumably derived from the species of tree that grew there. Although Tawa’s first church opened in 1851 and the first school opened in 1855, the settlement remained predominantly rural into the 20th century. The first attempt at housing subdivision came in 1896 and in 1906 the Tawa Land Company was established, but these early initiatives attracted relatively little interest. Subsequent subdivisions attracted more support but it wasn’t until just before (and after) World War II, that increasing suburbanisation in greater Wellington saw Tawa grow strongly and its semi-rural character disappear. Tawa’s 19th century origins mean that some very old structures remain, a few of which are included in the Heritage Trail.
[Northern Suburbs Heritage Trail Part 2: Following the Old Porirua Road. Onslow and Tawa Historical Societies/ Glenside Progressive Assn./WCC/ et. al. 2nd edition 2004. Booklet 99mm by 211mm, foldout maps.]
Cyclopedia of New Zealand description of Tawa - 1897
TAWA FLAT
Tawa Flat
Four miles north from Johnsonville by rail, and rather more by coach road, brings the traveller on to Tawa Flat, a picturesque arcadian settlement, making hay and growing corn and fruit, wool and rich grasses, and raising cattle and sheep for the markets. The many well-tilled farms and beautiful homesteads, and the other natural bits of landscape hereabouts, fail not in producing pleasing effects on the beholder.
Tawa Flat is blest with a flag station on the Wellington-Manawatu railway line, the train stopping only when signalled to pick up or set down passengers. The population of thirty-eight souls, are chiefly engaged in farming and pastoral pursuits. The settlement is part of the riding of Porirua, in the Hutt County, and the nearest towns are Porirua village, three miles to the northward, and Johnsonville about four miles south. It is 128 feet above sea-level, and the climate is naturally dry, but windy.
Tawa Flat has a public school, over which Mr. Herbert Sanson presides, and a church, where services are held periodically.
Mails for Tawa Flat close daily at Wellington at 6 a.m., arriving at Tawa Flat at 7.30 a.m. The return mail closes daily at Tawa Flat at 10.30 a.m., arriving at Wellington at 1 p.m.
Earp, Edward William, Sheep farmer, Tawa Flat. Mr. Earp is all but a colonial, having been born shortly before his father, Mr. William Earp, set sail for New Zealand in 1855, per ship “Pudsey Dawson”. Educated in the Colony, and brought up to a country life, Mr. Earp succeeded, on his father’s death, in 1888, to the splendid property – 600 acres in extent – with its well-kept live fences and beautiful lawns and flower borders. The estate, which is one of the best in the district, carries 1400 sheep. In 1888 Mr. Earp was married to a daughter of Mr. George Shand, of Taieri, Otago, and has three children – two daughters and a son.
Nott, James Thornton, M.A., Sheep farmer, Tawa Flat. Mr. Nott is a son of one of the earliest Tawa Flat settlers – the late Mr. William Nott, who arrived in Wellington by the “Birman” in 1842. Born at Johnsonville in 1864, and educated at Wellington College, Three Kings College, Auckland, and at the Auckland University, Mr. J. T. Nott gained his B.A. degree in 1889, and his M.A. with honours in biology in the following year. After four years at the Kings, Mr. Nott was accepted as a probationer in the Wesleyan ministry, being appointed to Riverton, where he remained two years. He was then transferred to Christchurch, where two years later he resigned, having determined to devote his time to country life. Mr. Nott’s hobby is in biological studies, on the results of which researches he often lectures, being ever willing to lend his services to any worthy object.
Porirua Stream
Taylor, James, Farmer, Tawa Flat. Born on the 17th of August, 1823, at Turnbridge, Wells, England, and educated in his native land, Mr. Taylor came to Port Nicholson with his father, the late Mr. William Taylor, per “Martha Ridgway”, in 1840. The subject of this notice settled in Johnsonville as early as 1844. Three years later he removed to Pauatahanui, where he started a small dairy farm, and in 1849 he became a pioneer settler in Tawa Flat, then a dense forest. The section Mr. Taylor acquired at that time is still in his possession, his farm consisting of 276 acres of freehold and 112 acres of leasehold. In the early days Mr. Taylor represented Porirua district for eight years in the Wellington Provincial Council, and was for twelve years afterwards a member of the Hutt County Council. Before the County took over the Road Board he was the representative of the Porirua Ward on the latter body, and for many years since he has been a member of the Tawa Flat School Committee. During the native troubles of the early days Mr. Taylor took his share of duty, and for fourteen years was associated with the volunteer movement, first as lieutenant of the Porirua, and afterwards as captain of the Pauatahanui Rifles. As a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, Mr. Taylor established a Sunday School on the first Sabbath spent in the district and is still superintendent of the Tawa Flat School. He was married in 1844 to Miss Hook, of Wellington, and has seven sons and six daughters, who are nearly all married and settled. Mr. Taylor has fifty-four grandchildren and three great children.
[p1072-1073 Cyclopedia of New Zealand Volume 1; Wellington Provincial District, published 1897] .
Newspaper articles describing Tawa's history
Historical Places of Tawa
The following series of articles were sponsored by the Historical subcommittee of the Tawa Borough Council
This series of articles by Bill Secker appeared in the Kapi-Mana newspaper between October 1975 and February 1978, around the time of celebrating a centenary of settlement in Tawa. Click on the title to go to the article.
1. “Tawa's first school records history”
2. “Colonial Cottage – a fine memorial” (Brown’s cottage)
3. “Bartlett house reflects changes”
4. “Tawa’s history is not tied to present boundary”
5. “Boscobel farm tells and interesting story”
6. “Earp orchard – a treasury”
7. “Early land sales at Tawa met demand”
8. “Harrison’s cottage preserves the past”
9. “Greer home a historic relic”
10. “Methodism at Tawa Flat grew”
11. “Pioneer farmers relied on waterwheel”
12. “Clay houses were common as pioneer homes along Old Porirua Road”
13. “First doctor in Tawa Flat studied grasses”
14. “Road unified scattered folk”
15. “Epitaph clue to change of attitudes”
This series of articles by Bill Secker describe the improvements made to Old Porirua Road. They appeared in the Kapi-Mana newspaper during 1978-81.
“Reminders of the British Army along old road”
“Ngauranga Road work of navvies”
“KAIWHARAWHARA – the gateway to the north”
“Tempestuous days along the old road to Porirua”
This series of articles by Bill Secker appeared in the Kapi-Mana newspaper during 1982. Click on the title to go to the article.
1. “Colonial Knob Walk gives a lesson in geography and Māori lore”
2. “Painting shows mid-19th century country life”
3. “Century old orchard memorial to pioneers”
5. “Country’s Past Often Lost – Placename changes”
6. “Town of East Porirua held much promise”
7. “Census of 1848 gave misleading details”
This article by Arthur H Carman originally appeared in a Tawa District Directory in 1976 and was reprinted in the Kapi-Mana News.
These articles by Elsdon Best under the series title of “Porirua and They Who Settled It”, originally appeared in Canterbury Times during 1914.
“PORIRUA AND THEY WHO SETTLED IT”